9 Unconventional Steps to Land a Job Quickly

Job Seeker's Pain

A few weeks ago, I was at an entrepreneurial hot spot, and I spoke with a few random people, and two of them told me that they are looking for a job. They shared that their job search has taken so much energy and is emotionally exhausting.

Jill has been job searching for more than three months; Joe has been searching for almost a year with no luck and no real hope or relief in sight. It was very painful to hear their stories. 

Both of them asked me if I had a crystal ball in finding a job quickly. To say the least, both of them got me thinking and inspired to write this post.   

The Job Search Process 

Job search is difficult under best circumstances. Why? You have to take care of social and emotional well-being along with financial constraints and obligations while looking for that elusive job. We can say that job search is a tricky act with too many balls in the air at once and most of them not under your control.

Good news is that anyone can find a job eventually, but effective job seekers land it quickly and with ease. 

9 Unconventional Steps 

1. Define How Success will Look

How this looks: You've narrowed the top 10 companies that you want to work for, and you will land a job in any one of these enterprises by three months.

2. Identify Constraints 

How this looks: Your burn rate is $3,000 per month, and you can survive up to 6 months without a job.

3. Have a Plan for Every Day

How this looks: You will write a journal about your job search. You will apply for at least three jobs online; contact at least two friends every day to get any new job leads that they may know. You will meet at least one human being every day. You will also apply for at least three jobs directly addressing the hiring manager via snail mail.

4. Engage in Deliberate Practice Routines

How this looks: You will identify an accountability buddy, and you will speak with him or her for at least 15 minutes every day. You will practice and debrief with your buddy on your job search activities every day. Together you both will identify areas of improvement. You will constantly and deliberately get better at things that need tuning.

5. Recharge, Re-load After Each Job Interview

How this looks: You will capture each interview experience (phone and in-person) in your journal. You will engage in your favorite fun activity (play guitar, exercise etc.) You will speak with a dear friend or a loving family member.

6. Manage and Mitigate Fear Throughout

How this looks: You will speak with your accountability buddy about your challenges and fears about the job search. You will seek and explore options to overcome those challenges and fear.

7. Record Job Search Data

How this looks: You will keep a record of jobs applied through online + friends + acquaintances + snail mail. You will also maintain a record of phone screens and in-person interviews.

8. Analyze Job Search Data and Calibrate Authentically

How this looks: You will measure and authentically identify where you need to improve. You will take suitable actions to improve or change the course.

9. Create an Amazing Experience for Interviewers and Bring Intentionality

How this looks:  You will create an amazing experience for each interviewer, such that they are inspired by your value, character and attitude. You will intentionally ask for the job at the end of the interview assuming you want and like the job.

Parting Thoughts

Recognize, though, none of these steps will be silver bullets for your job search. Also, remember that even the best practices are situational. They need to be selective and thoughtfully applied where they will add value to you.

These steps won’t guarantee you a great job. They will, however, help you get a job quickly and ensure that you’re doing all you can to make it succeed in an unpredictable world in which we live.

What's your take on these nine unconventional steps to land a job? 

I'd love to hear from you. Please share your thoughts in the commentary section below as I learn just as much from you as you do from me. 

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